The workplace as we knew it has evolved and changed so much this year.
In my opinion, this decade will see further significant changes in how we work and how work was traditionally performed. Over a short period of time this year, I have been able to see how some businesses are embracing the new ways of working and how many are still grappling with it. There are some industries where working from home is not an option. However, they will be impacted by how they interact with the jobs or people that do have that option. This may be in the form of technology and communication.
When we are updating or refreshing our clients’ policies and workplace guidelines, our initial thoughts are on their workforce and how that is made up, and where people’s roles may be based (office or home or both). As an HR person, I have always worked in environments where there wasn’t the ease or flexibility to work from home, but now it is here to stay.
Some of the policies that we have been reviewing and updating take into consideration many elements that impact the new ways of working. For example, providing equipment to work from home, travel, claiming expenses, workplace health and safety ( which includes the home), communicating with your teams and staying connected.
Your policies and guidelines really need to be succinct so that your people know the parameters that they are working in.
If there was a time to review and refresh your workplace policies and guidelines, now is the time. The policies and guidelines that you have in your workplace will need to evolve along with the way work will be done.
The way we used to work has already disappeared, and organisations need to embrace change and adjust with it. This is about human evolution in the workplace and how we work together to deliver outcomes that impact us inside and outside of work.